Street-gang murderer sent back to prison for arson

Syracuse, NY - A Syracuse man who served 24 years in prison for a 1979 street-gang murder was sent back to prison today for 10 years for arson.

Larry Williams, 55, of Ellis Street, pleaded guilty last month to a felony count of second-degree arson in the April 30 fire that damaged his fiancee's West Kennedy Street home.

The victim, Marnitza Allen, spoke briefly in court this morning about the frustration of losing her possessions in the fire, including objects that had been left to her when her mother died, Assistant District Attorney Janet Fall said.

Williams offered an apology for his conduct, the prosecutor said.

Authorities said the incident began as a domestic dispute between Williams and Allen during which Williams was accused of restraining Allen in the home and threatening her with what appeared to be a rifle.

Allen told police Williams seemed to think people were chasing him and were out to kill him and that she was somehow involved in that plot. The defense was contemplating a psychiatric defense before Williams pleaded guilty and agreed to accept the 10-year sentence being offered.

Williams was convicted in 1980 of second-degree murder in the October 1979 death of Raymond Ford in one of several homicides authorities linked to street-gang violence in Syracuse. He was sentenced to serve 20 years to life in prison and was released on parole in 2003. Parole supervision was ended in 2008.

Members of Williams' family began shouting at the victim in the hallway outside court after today's sentencing. But court officers kept the situation from erupting further as the parties left the building.